Even before the renovation, when the Goodman Library was just another block in the strip mall, my family and I have gone there to do everything from participating in movie nights, to finding a quiet corner and reading. [read more...]

It was a tranquil evening at the Free Press when editors Claire and Ben burst into the newsroom carrying freshly printed maps. The maps depicted the historical topography, or physical features, of the Mississippi river. [read more...]

Margaret Jenks, music teacher at Van Hise Elementary school, accepted the first Award for Excellence in Music Education from the Madison Symphony Orchestra earlier this Spring. Created in partnership with Ward-Brodt Music, this award recognizes a passionate, dedicated, and innovative educator who positively effects the lives of students. [read more...]

We recently made a trip to downtown Madison. Simpson Street Free Press writers, Lucy Ji, Alex Lee, and Helen Zhang, visited the City-Council Building looking for another piece of local history. What we found was a little-known treasure that is both history and art. [read more...]

Co-founder and owner of Isthmus Publishing Company is selling to the owners of Red Card Media, an off-campus meal-card program for students. In a post on the Isthmus website Thursday, Vince O’ Hern announced the sale to a group including Craig Bartlett, Jeff Haupt, and former Green Bay Packer, Mark Tauscher. [read more...]

If you’re searching for a natural place to visit this summer, consider a visit to the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail in central Wisconsin. The area attracts families, photographers and naturalists, serving as a place for family recreation, as well as an opportunity to observe the land's natural resources and unique wildlife. The 14-mile trail spans various forms of vegetation, including the often-rare lotus flower in some areas during the right time of year. [read more...]

One bird you might see while traveling around Wisconsin is the black-capped chickadee. Black-capped chickadees are mid-sized and stocky. They have white under parts and stripes of olive color on their sides. They also have a patch of feathers atop their head that resembles a black cap. Their wings are dark with broad white marks on the edges of their feathers. [read more...]

Dane Buy Local, a non-profit organization founded in 2004 to generate a sustainable local economy through education and collaboration, is participating in “Independents Week.” This seven-day campaign, spanning June 27 to July 7, honors community entrepreneurship and local business members. [read more...]

Hoping to garner support for the national "buy local" movement, Dane Buy Local and the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA) have declared June 27 through July 7, 2014 “Independents Week.” This week-long national campaign will reflect on economic democracy, local entrepreneurship, diversity, and community. [read more...]

As we Simpson Street Free Press reporters walked through the doors of Wright Middle School, we were thrilled and nervous to meet the former assistant principal of Hamilton Middle School, Dr. Angie Crawford. We are both former students of hers when she was assistant principal. Walking down the wide halls, we noticed many artworks done by students. On one side of the hall, we noticed an article about President Obama visiting the school's library, which really impressed us. As we continued down the halls, we finally arrived at Dr. Crawford's new, larger office, where she sat waiting for us. [read more...]

It was a bright and beautiful Wednesday afternoon when fellow staff writers, Antoneah Armour, Pallav Regmi, Victor Lien and I, went to visit Mahon Antique Restorations. Located less than five minutes from our south side newsroom, our editor told us this would be a good story. We weren’t sure why. We were anticipating a lecture about furniture, but instead we found something much more fascinating. [read more...]

Downy woodpeckers are usually found in woodlands, parks, and gardens. They are found in Canada, Alaska, and all over the United States except the southwestern portion. These fascinating birds are native to Wisconsin. [read more...]

The red-breasted nuthatch, also known as an “upside-down bird,” is one of many birds native to Wisconsin. With its distinct black cap and pale rust-brown underparts, this attractive bird is commonly found on the branches, rather than on the trunks, of trees. [read more...]

Did you know that some great horned owls call Southern Wisconsin home? Woodlands, meadows, bogs, and deciduous forests are all suitable habitats for these owls. They are very large birds, with a wingspan longer than four feet. Great horned owls are also tall and can stand as much as two feet tall. [read more...]

Red-tailed hawks are often seen flying across the sky looking down on fields and farmlands in search of prey. They have white chests with dark streaks on their bellies, and reddish-orange fan-shaped tails. [read more...]

Ospreys have curved bills, fierce yellow eyes, and white heads with dark eye stripes. Their backs and wings are covered with dark brown feathers, and their breasts are white. This bird is found on all continents except for Antarctica, although in South America it seems to be a non-breeding migrant. [read more...]

Eastern screech owls are year-round residents of southern Wisconsin. They live in woodlands, suburban parks, and other natural nesting areas. These small owls can grow to be eight or nine inches long and can have a 20-inch wingspan. [read more...]

Grand falcons and majestic eagles live and fly all over North America. They awe us with their power and grace. But there are other unique birds in Wisconsin that are not as well known, but just as interesting. One of them is the American kestrel. [read more...]